Agricultural interests push Kentucky biodiesel bill

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2/5/2002

Agriculture interests are lobbing heavily while HB40 heads for its third reading in the Kentucky House. Rep. Gary Tapp's (R-Shelby, Spencer, Bullitt) bill requires that all diesel fuel in the Kentucky Commonwealth contain a 2 percent biodiesel blend by July 1, 2003. The proposal also increases the blend to 5 percent by July 2007. According to Kentucky bill status, the bill has been amended to exempt railroads from the requirements of the bill. The Kentucky Motor Transport Association say the bill could cause mechanical and emission problems. Allegedly, one opponent to the bill said it was an attempt by heavily subsidized agricultural interests to tax diesel fuel users through the force of a state mandate in order to provide a financial subsidy to biodiesel producers. HB40 is sitting in the Regular Orders of the Day waiting for its third reading as of Feb.1. For more information call bill status at 1-877-765-0447.